The 2016 Belgian Poker Awards are in the bag with the likes of Kenny Hallaert, Bart Lybaert, and Davidi Kitai picking up awards at the Casino De Spa.

When I think of Belgium, my mind wanders to 1990. Pavarotti is singing Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot, and tears are streaming down my face courtesy of a twist and volley from David Platt to send England into the semi-finals of the World Cup at the expense of the tiny nation.

I have only visited the place once. It was Brussels to play in the World Poker Tour (WPT) National Series. I spent several hours trying unsuccessfully to find a health food store, and gave up, settling on a diet consisting of fries and pho all week. There was lots of chocolate; pictures of Tintin and an old lady using her six-month-old daughter as a begging tool.

[Image Credit: Casino de Spa’s Facebook Page]